By Nathalie Belkin, Lead Processor; Gabriella Carl-Johnson, Kay Menick, Sara Fetherolf, Erin Allsop, Jessica Mack, and Katie Alleman, Interns
Title: Architectural Drawings and Blueprints, c. 1880s-1990s
Predominant Dates:1910-1930s
Extent: 0.0
Subjects: A. Faranda and Son, Acea family, Agoglia family, Altar to Liberty: Minerva, Architectural Drawings, Architecture, Arnold, K.F., Arnold, N.B., Arnold family, Art nouveau (Architecture), Bahrenburg, John H., Bahrenburg family, Barclay family, Barrow, ME James T., Barrow family, Barthman family, Beaux-Arts architecture, Benisch Bros. Monumental Works, Blueprints, Bourne family, Bromell family, Brown, John W., Brown family, Buildings--Design and construction, C.E. Tayntor & Co., Cemeteries--New York (State)--New York--History, Cinerary urns, Colyer family, Cushman, Eugene, Cutting, James D.W., Cutting family, Daly, Margaret, Daly family, Davis Granite Co, Architects and Contractors, de Aldama family, DeLaCour and Ferrara, Delafield, Major Rich D., Delafield family, Dewey family, Doerschuck family, Dunne family, Egyptian revival (Architecture), Euler family, Farrington, Gould and Hoagland, Feitner, John, Felzmann family, Flagg, Ernest, Gilbert family, Goodnough family, Gothic revival (Architecture), Gould, J. R, Gould, James S., Gould family, Green-Wood Cemetery--New York, N.Y., Greve family, Griswold family, Hapgood family, Harder family, Harrison Granite Co., Havemeyer family, Heins and La Farge Architects, Higgins, Charles, Higgins family, Hillside architecture, Hoffman & Prochazka, Designers, Sculptors, and Builders, Horn, Alfred E., Horn family, Howland family, John Thatcher & Son, Kampfe family, Kenneth, W.D., Lawrence family, Lingard family, Ludlum, Emma R., Ludlum family, Martin, Robert, Martin family, Mausoleums, McAlpin family, Murdock family, Obelisks, Parish family, Parsons family, Penn Brass and Bronze Works, Pitbladdo Monumental Works, Polak family, Presbrey-Coykendall Company, Presbrey-Leland Monument Company, Renwick, Aspinwall, and Tucker, Reynolds family, Riley family, Ritzheimer family, Robinson, F. Delancey, Romanesque architecture, Rosanelli family, Ruckstull, F. W. (Fred Wellington), 1853-1942, Sands family, Sarcophagi, Sculpture and architecture, Sepulchral chapels, Sepulchral monuments, Victorian, Sepulchral monuments--New York (State)--New York, Sepulchral monuments--United States, Sepulchral monuments industry, Smallman, Thomas F., Smallman family, Somers family, Stephens, Annie W., Stephens, Benjamin F., Stephens family, Stevenson family, Stone, Gould, & Co, Designers and Builders, Sullivan, John W., Sullivan family, Texter family, Tiefel family, Tombs & sepulchral monuments, Torrio, Johnny, Torrio Family, Umberto Innocenti and Richard K. Webel, Landscape Architects, Underground architecture, Upjohn, Hobart, VanRensselaer family, Vaults (Sepulchral), W.F. Benedict & Son, W.W. Leland Co. Inc., Walsh, James F., Warren & Wetmore, Wesselman family, Wood family, Woolley family
Languages: English
The Architectural Drawings and Blueprints collection contains over 150 separate series of designs, each of which has one to around 20 individual drawings. Each series represents designs for a mausoleum or other architectural feature at Green-Wood Cemetery.
Most of the designs are for private family mausoleums, although the collection also includes blueprint materials for the historic Green-Wood chapel designed by Warren & Wetmore, alterations made to the Fifth Avenue gate, and plans for the mid-twentieth-century Columbarium. Other notable features in the collection include the Higgins mausoleum series, which contains photographs and early designs of the famous Battle Hill monument Altar to Liberty: Minerva by sculptor F. Wellington Ruxell. Many additional series may include more famous names in New York City history, such as those for the Cooper-Hewitt family and the Torrio family.
The majority of these drawings are printed on large blueprint paper, although there are a significant number of series that contain original drawings on tracing paper or drafting linen, as well as prints on Mylar, photocopy paper, or other reproduction materials. Many series also contain specifications documents—legal agreements between the architectural firm and the cemetery, which outline the plans, materials, and workman regulations for construction. In some cases, there is additional material, such as correspondence with lot owners and alternate mausoleum designs.
The collection’s dates range from the 1880s to the 1990s; the majority of the mausoleum designs were created between 1910 and 1930, at a time when it was widely popular among upper-class families to have a mausoleum or vault in which to inter their deceased relatives. Many architects of the time specialized in mausoleum design. Architectural firms that produced a large number of mausoleum designs in this collection include the Presbrey-Leland Monument Company, John Feitner Architects, and the Harrison Granite Company.
Researchers may wish to consult a specific series, which can give an interesting insight into the family in question, or they may wish to look at multiple series in the collection, in order to gain an example of the way construction and design aesthetics changed over time. The collection is a particularly valuable example of the way cemetery architecture developed in its golden years, particularly because many of the wealthiest and most prestigious New York families chose to be interred at Green-Wood.
The collection is currently stored in two locations—some material is in the Green-Wood archives, while many other blueprints are kept in the surveyor’s office of the administrative building. The container list has additional information on each item in this significant and highly variable collection, including notes on the date of designs, the architectural firm that created the drawings, and information on the size, condition, markings, and design features of each piece. All blueprint materials have been scanned and are digitally available; a preview of the image file is attached to each item. High-resolution images of each scan are available upon request.
The material is in varying condition, and embrittled drawings have been encapsulated in Mylar to ensure preservation.
The Green-Wood archives hold additional records acquired from the Presbrey-Leland Monument Company relating to Green-Wood Cemetery, and researchers may find it useful to consult this collection in conjunction with the Architectural Drawings and Blueprints.
A. Faranda and Son
Acea family
Agoglia family
Altar to Liberty: Minerva
Architectural Drawings
Architecture
Arnold, K.F.
Arnold, N.B.
Arnold family
Art nouveau (Architecture)
Bahrenburg, John H.
Bahrenburg family
Barclay family
Barrow, ME James T.
Barrow family
Barthman family
Beaux-Arts architecture
Benisch Bros. Monumental Works
Blueprints
Bourne family
Bromell family
Brown, John W.
Brown family
Buildings--Design and construction
C.E. Tayntor & Co.
Cemeteries--New York (State)--New York--History
Cinerary urns
Colyer family
Cushman, Eugene
Cutting, James D.W.
Cutting family
Daly, Margaret
Daly family
Davis Granite Co, Architects and Contractors
de Aldama family
DeLaCour and Ferrara
Delafield, Major Rich D.
Delafield family
Dewey family
Doerschuck family
Dunne family
Egyptian revival (Architecture)
Euler family
Farrington, Gould and Hoagland
Feitner, John
Felzmann family
Flagg, Ernest
Gilbert family
Goodnough family
Gothic revival (Architecture)
Gould, J. R
Gould, James S.
Gould family
Green-Wood Cemetery--New York, N.Y.
Greve family
Griswold family
Hapgood family
Harder family
Harrison Granite Co.
Havemeyer family
Heins and La Farge Architects
Higgins, Charles
Higgins family
Hillside architecture
Hoffman & Prochazka, Designers, Sculptors, and Builders
Horn, Alfred E.
Horn family
Howland family
John Thatcher & Son
Kampfe family
Kenneth, W.D.
Lawrence family
Lingard family
Ludlum, Emma R.
Ludlum family
Martin, Robert
Martin family
Mausoleums
McAlpin family
Murdock family
Obelisks
Parish family
Parsons family
Penn Brass and Bronze Works
Pitbladdo Monumental Works
Polak family
Presbrey-Coykendall Company
Presbrey-Leland Monument Company
Renwick, Aspinwall, and Tucker
Reynolds family
Riley family
Ritzheimer family
Robinson, F. Delancey
Romanesque architecture
Rosanelli family
Ruckstull, F. W. (Fred Wellington), 1853-1942
Sands family
Sarcophagi
Sculpture and architecture
Sepulchral chapels
Sepulchral monuments, Victorian
Sepulchral monuments--New York (State)--New York
Sepulchral monuments--United States
Sepulchral monuments industry
Smallman, Thomas F.
Smallman family
Somers family
Stephens, Annie W.
Stephens, Benjamin F.
Stephens family
Stevenson family
Stone, Gould, & Co, Designers and Builders
Sullivan, John W.
Sullivan family
Texter family
Tiefel family
Tombs & sepulchral monuments
Torrio, Johnny
Torrio Family
Umberto Innocenti and Richard K. Webel, Landscape Architects
Underground architecture
Upjohn, Hobart
VanRensselaer family
Vaults (Sepulchral)
W.F. Benedict & Son
W.W. Leland Co. Inc.
Walsh, James F.
Warren & Wetmore
Wesselman family
Wood family
Woolley family
Scale: 1” = 1'
Details: The entrance to this mausoleum is reached by a set of three stairs and is framed by four fluted Doric columns (two on either side of the doors). The frieze is decorated with triglyphs and metopes, with “KRING” carved into the center metope above the entrance doors. The structure includes a solid pediment.
Drawing Material: Blueprint reproduction on paper.
Notes/Markings: W.C. Grassau, Green-Wood superintendent, initialed and dated this plan on December 22, 1915. The lower left corner contains the note “Order No. 8566 / Studios W.W. Leland Co. / 569 Fifth Ave N.Y.C.” and the lower right corner includes the note “Drawing No. 85.” Written in the doorway is the note “Door as per selected design.” A note in the left metope panel reads “V Line” with an arrow pointing to the bottom of the panel, and a note concerning the “KRING” inscription reads “V Sunk.” Dimensions for the doorway, column base, and mausoleum height are included. On the reverse, in pencil, is the note “34276 Kring Maus”.
Condition: Embrittled throughout with staple holes at the top and rips along the right and left edges. The bottom left corner is missing a piece. Encapsulated in Mylar.
Scale: 1” = 1’
Details: This plan shows the right side of the mausoleum, with the building’s front facing the left edge of the plan. The sides are solid with two small vents near the top and two at the bottom. Measurements are given for the height and depth of the mausoleum and for the different courses.
Drawing Material: Blueprint reproduction on paper.
Notes/Marking: W.C. Grassau, Green-Wood superintendent, initialed and dated this plan on December 22, 1915. The lower left corner contains the note “Order No. 8566 / Studios W.W. Leland Co. / 569 Fifth Ave N.Y.C.” and the lower right corner includes the note “Drawing No. 85.”
Condition: Embrittled throughout with staple holes at the top and rips along the left and right edges. Encapsulated in Mylar.
Scale: 1” = 1
Details: This plan shows the rear of the mausoleum. A window is cut into the first two courses beneath the roof, with bronze grillwork protecting the glass. Measurements are given for each of the courses, roof, and base.
Drawing Material: Blueprint reproduction on paper.
Notes/Markings: See Item B in this series.
Condition: Embrittled throughout with staple holes at the top and a several rips along the right edge. Portions of the right edge are missing. Encapsulated in Mylar.
Scale: 1” = 1’
Details: This plan shows the back interior of the mausoleum, as if someone were standing in the entranceway looking in. There are eight catacombs, four on either side of the vestibule (although the specifications document states there are to be a total of six catacombs). A stained glass window is placed at the rear of the mausoleum and a bronze hanger descends from the ceiling. Measurements are given for the window, catacombs, vestibule, roof, and courses.
Drawing Material: Blueprint reproduction on paper.
Materials Noted: Stained glass, bronze, slate, marble, granite.
Notes/Markings: W.C. Grassau, Green-Wood superintendent, signed and dated this plan on November 22, 1915. Several notes pertaining to construction materials are written over the places where they are to be used (e.g., “Bronze hanger” in the ceiling; “stained glass window”; “Slate strips”, “Slate shelves”, “slate backs”, and “marble tablets” for the catacombs, and “granite floor” and “concrete” for the foundation).
Condition: Embrittled throughout with staple holes at the top and rips along the top and left edges. The top right corner is smudged. Encapsulated in Mylar.
Scale: 1” = 1’
Details: This plan is similar to Item D in this series except that it clearly shows six catacombs instead of eight, and different dimensions are provided for the height of the mausoleum and the various courses.
Drawing Material: Blueprint reproduction on paper.
Materials Noted: Marble, granite, concrete, art glass.
Notes/Markings: W.C. Grassau, Green-Wood superintendent, signed and dated this plan on December 22, 1915. The lower left corner contains the note “Studios W.W. Leland Co. / 569 Fifth Ave N.Y.C.” and the lower right corner includes the note “Drawing No. 85.” A note on the side of the plan reads, “All marble must finish to sizes indicated on drawings. All granite must be finished at least 1’-0” thick.”
Condition: Embrittled throughout with staple holes at the top and rips on the right and left edges. The bottom left corner is missing a small piece, as is the top right corner.. Encapsulated in Mylar.
Scale: 1” = 1’
Details: This plan shows the interior of the mausoleum as if the viewer were standing in front of the right side and looking in. The stairs, columns, doorway, vestibule, and rear window are shown, as are three catacombs stacked atop one another. The construction underground is also shown.
Drawing Material: Blueprint reproduction on paper.
Materials Noted: Concrete, marble, granite.
Notes/Markings: See Item E in this series.
Condition: Embrittled with staple holes at the top and rips along the right and left edges. The bottom left corner is creased with a portion of the paper missing. There are fold lines along the left edge and near the bottom right corner. Encapsulated in Mylar.
Scale: ¼” = 1’
Details: This plan provides an aerial view of the mausoleum in its surrounding plot. The mausoleum is indicated by a rectangular outline, with measurements provided to show the depth and width of the mausoleum, its distance from the edges of the plot, and the perimeter of the plot.
Drawing Material: Blueprint reproduction on paper.
Notes/Markings: “7’-0” to front of mausoleum.” The title block reads: “W.W. Leland Co., Inc / 569 Fifth Ave, N.Y. / Order No. 8566 / Dwg. No. 374 / Drawn by C.F.K. / Approved by: Revised 4/10/18.” A small pencil drawing is included on the reverse, with more detailed measurements given.
Condition: Slightly brittle as a result of being folded many times. There are two horizontal crease lines and three vertical crease lines, with small rips starting at the edges where the crease lines begin. Staple holes at the top and a slight discoloration near the center of the drawing. Encapsulated in Mylar.
Details: This plan provides an aerial view of the mausoleum, with the stairs, columns, entryway, vestibule, catacombs, and rear window outlined. Dimensions are given for each element.
Drawing Material: Blueprint reproduction on paper.
Materials Noted: Polished granite floor.
Notes/Markings: A note located to the right of the drawing reads, “All marble must be finished to sizes indicated on drawings. All granite must be finished at least 1’0” thick.” W.C. Grassau, Green-Wood superintendent, initialed and dated this plan on December 22, 1915. Included in the lower left corner is the note “Order No. 8566 / Studios W.W. Leland Co. / 569 Fifth Ave N.Y.C.”
Condition: Embrittled with staple holes at the top edge and rips along the right edge. A 5” x 5” section of the lower right corner is missing. Encapsulated in Mylar.
Scale: 1” = 1’
Details: This plan gives an outline of the mausoleum and its dimensions.
Drawing Material: Blueprint reproduction on paper.
Notes/Markings: See Item B in this series. The reverse contains several notes in pencil, including “Kring 34276”, the number 12, and two small sketches of the Kring plot and the adjacent Cross plot (Lot 27188). “Kring” is also written in black ink at the bottom of the paper.
Condition: Slightly embrittled with staple holes at the top and small tears along the left, bottom, and right edges. Encapsulated in Mylar.
Scale: 1” = 1’
Details: This plan shows an aerial view of the mausoleum’s foundation, plus the front and side elevations of the construction below the grade line.
Drawing Material: Blueprint reproduction on paper.
Materials Noted: Concrete, brick, granite, earth.
Notes/Markings: The title block reads: “W.W. Leland Co., Inc / 569 Fifth Ave, N.Y. / Order No. 8566 / Dwg. No. 395 / Drawn by E.T. 4/15/16. / Checked by C.F.K.” On the reverse, written in black ink, is “Kring Foundation Plan.” Measurements and calculations are written in pencil.
Condition: Embrittled throughout with staple holes at the top edge and creases down the center and across the width of the plan. The center vertical crease contains a 6.5” tear. The bottom left corner is creased. Encapsulated in Mylar.
Details: This plan shows an outline of the mausoleum within the plot. Dimensions for the plot and the mausoleum are given.
Drawing Material: Pencil on brown construction paper.
Condition: Embrittled throughout with crease lines along the length and width of the paper. Encapsulated in Mylar.
Details: This three-page document provides instructions on construction and materials to be used.
Drawing Material: Typewritten ink on tissue paper.
Materials Noted: Concrete, Mount Airy granite, White Atlas or Medusa cement, Veined white Italian marble, copper wire, Pennsylvania slate, brick, bronze, leaded glass.
Notes/Markings: “8566” is written in black ink at the top of the first page. On the second page, corrections are made in red pencil and black pen. A note in black ink is written at the conclusion of the document: “Inscriptions will be sent in a few days. Window conventional design. Make some sketches. Miss Kring will see it at studio before soldered. Go to cemetery with Miss Kring and locate the mausoleum.”
Condition: Staple holes at the top; creases in the top left corner. The top right corner of page 3 is folded.
Details: Sent from the W.W. Leland Co., Inc (signed by R.F. Smallwood) to Green-Wood on April 15, 1916 in response to a phone conversation held April 14, 1916. It was sent with “a scale drawing showing in detail the foundation of the Kring mausoleum” and contains instructions to “finish the top of the foundation for side walls and flush with the average grade.”
Drawing Material: Typewritten and signed with black ink on paper.
Notes/Markings: Contains the letterhead for The W.W. Leland Co., Inc.
Condition: Stape hold near the top edge; three vertical creases and one horizontal crease. Wrinkled throughout.
